I smashed open the laboratory's door.

"Kawahara, it happened again!" I screamed at her face.

She didn't even flinch.

"Kozue Suzuka-san? Did you swap bodies again—"

The door smashed open behind me and Araki came in with my body.

"It happened again!" he screamed from my body and approached us.

"Araki-kun, did you talk to anyone?" I asked him.

"No, I ran here this time," he answered. "And why do you keep calling me Araki-kun? We are in the same year!"

I only do it because it's funny. But, when I said just now…

"Kawahara, did you find a solution?" I ignored Araki's question.

"Yes! Please tell us you did!" Araki shouted.

Kawahara thoughtfully looked down.

"Before I can find the solution, I need to find the cause first," she replied.

"The cause? Even we don't know the cause!" Araki yelled.

"Stop yelling!" I whispered at him.

"Oh, sorry. I don't why I did it…" he apologized.

Oh no. I forgot!

I

jumped at Kawahara over the desk and pulled her by her sweater vest uniform

, "Kawahara, you have to find the solution now!" I screamed.

"Well, I came up with a hypothesis last night," Kawahara revealed and

adjusted her glasses

.

Both Araki and I grinned.

"But I discarded it just now."

Our hearts sunk a second after they were given hope.

"What?! Why?!" Araki asked.

"Did you hit your heads again?" Kawahara asked us.

"No…" I answered.

"I suppose so..."

She's right. We thought the cause of this incident was that we hit our heads. But after this…

"Does it mean we are doomed?" Araki slumped in surrender.

"Not completely," Kawahara smirked.

We stared at her, confused.

"I have one more hypothesis."

"What is it?!" both Araki and I shouted at her face.

"You are too close," Kawahara stated.

"Oh, sorry."

We both sat down on the other side of the desk.

"Have you interacted with each other today?" Kawahara asked.

"We have," Araki answered.

Right, we did this morning. He pulled me so suddenly, I didn't know how to react…

"About that," Araki interrupted my thoughts, "I'm sorry if I did something that annoyed you, Kozue."

"What?" I asked.

Oh, I practically ran away from him. I couldn't talk for some reason.

"I-It's okay. It's just weird that I'm inside another person's body," I replied, "It’s even weirder because it's a guy's body. I even had to go to the bathroom—"

I shut my mouth and turned my head away from Araki's face.

"You did what?" Araki asked.

"There's another thing that intrigues me," Kawahara interrupted. "Did you fall asleep today too?"

We both nodded.

Kawahara smirked again. "I think I can confirm my hypothesis. For the moment."

"Really? What is it?" I asked her.

"Touch," she replied.

"Touch?" Araki and I questioned, glancing at each other.

"Every time you touch, you will feel sleepy after some time. Then, you will wake up with your bodies swapped."

We stared at Kawahara, with our mouths open.

"It makes sense!" I exclaimed.

"It does! It fits with what had happened until now," Araki nodded in realization.

"That means if we touch now, we should get our bodies back," I stated.

"About that," Kawahara interrupted our happiness, "There are variables that we still don't know."

"Wait, didn't we touch yesterday when we came here too?" Araki asked.

"Oh, you're right," I replied. "Nothing happened after that."

"That is one of the variables. Maybe there is a waiting time," Kawahara shrugged.

"Waiting time? How long?" I asked.

"We will not know until we do some experiments," Kawahara answered.

"Does it work if we just touch our clothes? Or do we need to physically touch our skin?" Araki asked.

"We will not know until—"

"Is there also a waiting time after we get back to our bodies?" I questioned.

"Maybe we can force ourselves to sleep!" Araki suggested.

"Are you listening?" Kawahara coldly asked. She showed no emotion, but her eyes pierced through our souls.

"S-Sorry," Araki and I apologized.

"We shall begin with the experiments today. At what time did you have physical contact?"

"Around eight-thirty," Araki replied.

"And at what time did you feel sleepy?"

"After the first class," I answered. "But I managed to stay awake until a bit before the break."

"Me too," Araki said.

"Understood. I will work with your data," Kawahara said.

"Thank you, Kawahara!" I said. "Can I ask why are you helping us?"

"Because this is an interesting phenomenon, supernatural I would say," she answered. "And it is fun."

"Yeah, I think I understand," I laughed.

"Maybe it wouldn't be that fun if you were going through this," Araki said in anger.

"Araki…" I exclaimed, worried.

"Ah! S-Sorry again! I don't know why I'm acting like this!" Araki bowed.

Kawahara and I looked at each other. I nodded.

"Araki Koji-san," Kawahara said. "I didn't introduce myself properly yesterday. My name is Kawahara Enko. I am a third-year student in class B." She extended her arm forward.

"Nice to meet you, Kawahara-san," Araki said and shook her hand.

"You can call me Kawahara."

"S-Sure."

"See? It may be weird that we swap bodies when we touch. But it can be fun too!" I said, joyful.

"Maybe… By the way, did you really go to the bathroom with my body?"

"Oh, look at the hour! It's almost time to go to class!" I shouted and ran to the door.

Araki grabbed my shoulder before I could escape.

"I-I'm sorry, okay?! I didn't see anything, I swear!" I confessed.

"I-It's fine." Araki looked at the floor. "It's only logical these things will happen."

He's blushing… Is it weird I think I look cute?

"And thank you for not seeing anything. I promise I will do the same."

"Thanks…" I said.

"I feel weird for some reason," Araki told. "It's as if I didn't know how I should feel."

"Let's try our best to survive today! I'll see you at the entrance!" I shouted and ran back to the classroom.

I sat at Araki's place.

Good thing I saw his backpack yesterday while helping him pick up his stuff. If not, I don't know how I would've asked someone what is my place—

"Araki-kun!" a girl's voice called from behind.

Araki-kun?

I turned around.

"You're back early!" the girl said. "It's been two days that you run away as soon as the bell rings!"

"Oh, y-yes…" I replied between laughs.

Who is she?! Why does she call him Araki-kun?! Are they close?!

"Maybe your stomach is struggling. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she laughed.

She's cute… Should I help Araki?

But a pressure crushed my chest before I could say any word.

What is this feeling?

"By the way," the girl said. "What do you like to do outside school?"

She's already going all in!

"Why do you ask?" I questioned.

"I'm just curious." She propped her elbow on her desk and rested her head on her hand. "You've heard all those rumors about you, haven't you?"

Right. Everyone has been talking about Araki since he transferred here.

"I have…"

"Don't worry, I won't believe any of them until I see it with my own eyes," the girl said. "And, for that, I need to know you better. So, what are your hobbies?" she said.

Even I am falling for her! And I don't know what Araki does! Quick, what would someone like Araki do?!

"I like to read and play games…"

Sorry, Araki. I hope I'm not too far from the real answer…

"Oh, as I expected!" the girl replied. "I particularly don't like games too much, but I do read a lot!"

She stood up forward and whispered to my ear, "I'll tell you a secret. I mostly read manga."

"I-I see," I replied.

"Don't tell anyone!" she added. "Do you read it too?"

"I do…"

I'm sorry Araki!

"Great! We could go together to a store someday! I-If you want!" she blushed.

"S-Sure," I responded.

"Awesome! I'll be looking forward to it!"

I hope you thank me later, Araki!

"Can I ask you something else?" the girl questioned.

I nodded.

"Are Kozue Suzuka and you dating?"

My heart skipped a beat.

"W-What? N-No, we aren't!"

Oops, I acted like myself out of the shock!

"I see," the girl replied. "I've been attacked with that kind of rumors too. Maybe we have more things in common than we expected," she smiled.

Wait, now that she mentions that…

"Araki-kun, Narumi-san, the class is about to begin," the teacher scolded.

When did the bell ring?!

"Sorry, Takuto-sensei!" Narumi apologized. "We talk later," she whispered at me.

The rest of the classes ended. I ran from Narumi before she could notice and met with Araki and Kawahara at the entrance to touch to get our bodies back.

I got in the car to go to Araki's home without telling Araki about Narumi. Soon enough, I felt sleepy.

This car is very fancy… I didn't imagine I would ever get in one.

I looked out the window.

People already tell rumors about Araki and they don't know anything about him. Neither do I, more than his body.

But Narumi probably understands him. They seem to be quite compatible. And I still can't figure out this feeling when I think of her…

I wonder if Araki is fine…

Before I realized, I fell asleep.

"Next station, Akishima," a muted voice said.

Next… Akishima…

"Current station, Akishima," the same voice announced.

Current… Wait, that's my station!

I woke up and jumped out of the train right before the doors closed.

I walked for twenty minutes through the streets and arrived home.

I wish I could use the bus…

"Sis! You here! Dad cooked!" my little sister received me after I opened the door.

"Really?" I exclaimed. I left my backpack on the floor and lifted her up. "Thank you for telling me, Yu-tan!"

"You welcome!"

I carried Yu to the living room, where my big sister was sitting on the floor.

"Makoto?" I baffled.

"Suprise!" Yu shouted.

"Hi, Su-chan," Makoto said.

I put Yu down and sat next to Makoto. "Why are you here?" I asked her.

"I realized it's been a while since I come," she answered and took a sip from her tea.

"Yes! I thought you forgot about us!"

"How could I ever forget about little Yu-tan?"

Yu sat on the other side of the table and ate a lollipop. "Big sis gave lopop!" she said.

"Really? What do you have for me, big sis!" I asked Makoto.

"Who are you?" she smiled.

"It's not fair! You only give things to Yu-tan!" I whimpered.

"Girls, don't fight on the table," mom nagged at us.

"Sorry, mom…" Makoto and I apologized.

Mom and dad brought the food to the table and everyone sat around it.

"This looks fancy!" I exclaimed after I saw the food.

"Makoto bought the ingredients," dad smiled.

"See? I also give you things," Makoto told me.

"But this is for everyone, not only for me!" I replied.

"Come on, don't be so selfish," Makoto said.

I noticed Makoto wore her work outfit. "Did you just finished work?"

"That's right, captain obvious," she responded.

"Hey, maybe you're about to go to work!"

"Girls…" mom interrupted.

"Sorry, mom…" Makoto and I apologized.

We hungrily ate the food dad made with the ingredients Makoto bought.

"Yummy!" Yu exclaimed.

I burped.

"Suzuka, manners…" mom stared at me.

"Oops, sorry," I apologized.

"Makoto," mom called. "Thank you very much for the ingredients."

"No problem," Makoto smiled.

"I hope you're not overworking."

"Don't worry, I'm great."

"You said you have something to tell us."

"Yes, I do. I'll go straight to the point," Makoto said and reached something from her pockets.

I lifted my tea and began to sip it.

A ring appeared on her finger. "I'm engaged!"

I spit the tea on dad's face. "You what?!"

"Congratulations, Makoto!" mom stood up and approached her to hug her. Yu also hugged her.

"That idiot—I mean, he proposed to you?!" I asked.

"Suzuka!" mom and dad scolded me.

"I'm sorry. Also for him…"

Mom sat back at her place.

"Little Su-chan," Makoto called me. "If you keep that attitude, no one will ever like you. And you won't like anyone neither."

She began to take a sip from her tea.

"Y-Yeah…"

I looked at the floor.

Makoto spit the tea on dad's face. "You like someone?!"

"W-What? I don't!" I replied.

"You keep stuttering!" Makoto said. She grabbed my shoulders and asked, "Su, who's that poor soul?"

"Makoto!" mom and dad scolded Makoto.

"Sorry…"

"Su, do you like someone?" dad asked me and smiled.

"I don't, seriously!"

"If you say so…" Makoto said.

I stood up and went for my backpack. "I'll do the homework. Thank you for the ingredients, Makoto. And congratulations on your engagement."

"Thanks, Su-chan."

"Where do you think you're going, Suzuka?" my mom stopped me before I could leave the room.

"Mom… I hate washing dishes!"

"Suzuka."

"Fine…"

I washed the dishes and chatted with my family for a while until Makoto had to leave.

The orange light of the sunset entered through my room's window. I sat on the floor to do the homework when my phone vibrated.

Kawahara is inviting me to the chat group. I should add Araki back to my contacts too…

Araki accepted my contact request.

I haven't told him about Narumi…

I opened the private chat between Araki and me and typed, "Hello, how are you?"

No, that's a bit too formal.

I deleted the text and typed again, "Hey, sup?"

No, that looks like I'm a guy.

I typed again, "Hi."

No, that's too short. Why am I thinking so much about this?!

"What are your hobbies?" I sent.

Done! Am I nervous? Nah, it can't be.

Araki replied after one minute, "Reading and playing games."

I guessed right! Oh, he's typing…

"What are yours?"

"Well, if I need to choose, probably singing and teaching my little sister."

"You have a little sister?"

Araki and I chatted for quite some time more before we both realized we needed to do the homework.

The day finished and the next morning arrived. I walked on the bridge on the high school's entrance.

"Araki-kun!" a voice shouted from the distance.

Araki-kun? Narumi? I forgot to tell Araki about her!

I looked at them from behind other students.

"Araki-kun, do you want to go to the store today?"

…